Trending

Meet the New Male 'The Price Is Right' Model

By Stacy Lambe 4:46 AM PST, December 9, 2014

CBS

Australian model and actor, James O’Halloran, has just become the second male model in history to join the long-running game show.

Following a nationwide casting call and extended competition, which included various tasks based on personality, appearance, and ability to model a car, O’Halloran emerged victorious when the winner was announced on Tuesday. The 30-year-old model beat out two other semi-finalists, Jay Byars and Jonathan Morgan, and will serve as The Price Is Right’s sole male model for one week starting December 15.

A photo posted by James O'Halloran (@jimmyohalloran) on Dec 12, 2014 at 4:06pm PST

The Aussie is actually an industrial designer by day. “[I] worked three years in the industry," he tells People magazine. "But I was taking nighttime acting classes. Then, in the midst of a global recession, I quit my job to become a model. I think it worked out for me so far!"

O’Halloran follows Robert Scott Wilson, who became the game show’s first ever male showcase model in 2012. He later parlayed that experience into recurring acting gigs on All My Children and, currently, Days of Our Lives.

Male models have recently become TV’s eye candy of choice. The Ellen Show’s Bill Reilich (aka Nick the Gardener) quickly became a fan favorite after several shirtless appearances. Since then, Reilich has landed a part in Magic Mike XXL and served as NewNowNext Awards’ trophy boy. And then there’s 26-year-old Keith Carlos, who became the first man to be crowned America’s Next Top Model when Cycle 21 drew to a close late last week. A favorite of Tyra Banks’, he beat out two other semi-finalists – both males – to make good on the show’s inclusion of men over the past two cycles.

For more on Magic Mike XXL, watch as ET goes on set and talks to the film's stars, including Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, and Joe Manganiello.